Inflation has so far been higher than expected this year

Ministers have reneged on a promise to review rises of 2.5% a year in 2006-08 for England's teachers in the light of higher inflation, the NUT says.

The call comes as the teacher Training and Development Agency for Schools urged the teachers' pay review body to ensure pay rates remained competitive.

Ministers say inflation will return to expected levels by the end of 2008 and point to a 15% pay rise since 1997.

Teachers' pay and conditions in England and Wales are considered by the School Teachers' Review Body (STRB) after representations from teaching unions, associations and the Department for Education and Skills.

It then makes recommendations to the government which are usually adopted.

Inflation is at its highest level for 16 years. The current annual 'headline' rate of inflation is 4.8% Steve Sinnott

When the government announced its 2006-08 settlement the body recommended pay be reviewed in the event of increases of inflation.

If inflation for the 12 months from April 2006 to March 2007 went above 3.25% unions were to be able to ask the STRB to ask the government for a remit to review the settlement.

In April the STRB chairman wrote to Education Secretary Alan Johnson seeking this remit.

But Mr Johnson wrote back saying: "I have concluded that the best course of action is for the STRB to consider these concerns alongside other evidence about retention and recruitment and the impacts on budgets - when making recommendations for the next pay award."

But NUT general secretary Steve Sinnott said: "Inflation is at its highest level for 16 years. The current annual 'headline' rate of inflation is 4.8%."

He said that although inflation was likely to fall later in the year it was unlikely to go down to the 2.5% level, and experts were expecting a 4% rate by September.

WHAT TEACHERS EARN newly qualified, after four years at university: �19,641 after seven years: �31,098 head teacher: 38,559 - �95,631 depending on school size figures exclude London and fringe area weightings

He added: "Again in cash terms, that level of inflation would imply a further pay loss over the following year of around �300 for a new entrant."

The NUT regards the government's decision as a "breach of honour" and is calling on its members to join a campaign pushing for a fairer deal.

It is also inviting other teaching associations to join in a push for higher pay through the Trades Union Congress.

Last week three other classroom unions which, unlike the NUT, are in "social partnership" with the government - the ATL, NASUWT and PAT - called for above-inflation pay rises in the forthcoming 2008-11 settlement.

Meanwhile the NUT wants to see pay rises of 10% or �3,000 a year, whichever is greater, from 2008.

'Competitive'

The unions' demands were given some backing by the head of the Training and Development Agency for Schools which is in charge of recruiting future teachers.

Graham Holley said: "The TDA considers that salaries, particularly starting salaries, need to remain sufficiently competitive to attract able and committed trainees.

"We are nonetheless acutely aware of the government's need to constrain public expenditure, and the balances that will need to be struck."

A DfES spokesman said: "We continue to be committed to giving teachers fair and competitive pay and conditions."

"Teaching remains one of the most respected and rewarding professions.

"There has been a 15% real terms increase in teachers' average pay since 1997."